#JeeneDo: Campaign intensifies in Goa against CM's statement on minors' gang rape

Following the gang rape of two minors a few days ago in Goa, the safety of women in the country's most favoured tourist destination has come under the scanner. The campaign against the Goa CM, Pramod Sawat who also happens to be the Home Minister, is getting intensified in the state.

Panaji: Following the gang rape of two minors in Goa, the safety of women in the country's most famous tourist destination has come under scanner. Since the issue is related to security, then questions are bound to be posed at the government. But the statement given by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawat has put the elected representatives in the dock. Two minor girls were gang-raped in a beach in Goa last Sunday, but when the Chief Minister was questioned about it, he instead blamed the girls and their families.

What did Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant say?

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant asked why the girls were out for so long and it is the responsibility of the parents to ensure the safety of their children. This statement of the Chief Minister is being condemned everywhere, from social institutions to political parties and on social media. Surely, Goa's law and order and Goa's Chief Minister's statement are under the scanner. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant while giving a statement on the matter in the Goa Legislative Assembly also said that if the girls were walking on the beach at night, then their parents need to introspect.

Opponents raised questions, demanded the resignation of CM

Opponents started targeting Goa's law and order issue and then the Chief Minister's statement. Congress spokesperson Elton D'Costa said that why should we be afraid to go out? The law and order situation in Goa is not good. Criminals should be in jail so that law-abiding people can freely roam outside. Goa Forward Party MLA Vijay Sardesai said that the Chief Minister's statement is biased. The responsibility for the safety of the citizens rests with the police and the state government. If he cannot protect us, then the Chief Minister does not have the right to sit on the chair.

CM Pramod Sawant said that we directly blame the police. 10 girls go to the beach party, 4 of them stay overnight by the sea and 6 girls return home. Two boys and a girl stayed overnight on the seashore. Children should not spend such a long time on the beach. Sawant told the assembly that the four accused in the case have been arrested.

Goa Chief Minister and state's law and order in questions

The gang-rape of two minor girls on Goa's Benaulim beach and then the Chief Minister's statement is being opposed everywhere. Goa Mahila Congress on Friday demonstrated in front of the Chief Minister's residence and demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister. Goa Mahila Congress President Bina Naik said that Goa is a peace-loving state but ever since the BJP government was formed in the state, there is an atmosphere of fear in Goa. Criminals are fearless in the state, serious crimes including crimes against women to murder are going unchecked. According to Aam Aadmi Party leader Anuradha Gawade, an average of 4 cases of crime against women are being reported in Goa in a week. Are women safe in Goa?

Goa's working women raised questions

Working women have also raised questions regarding Goa's law and order and the Chief Minister's statement. Goa's Pratibha Borkar condemned the Chief Minister's statement and said that along with everyone there should be fear of law among criminals and as Home Minister, the responsibility of law and order in Goa lies with the Chief Minister. This is their moral responsibility.

The working women of Goa are asking questions about their security. Priya Rathod also rubbished the Chief Minister's statement saying that in today's era women can wear anything and roam anywhere, many women today are associated with jobs or any profession for which they have to move out of the house. Who will protect these women? The fear of law and order should be in the criminals so that crime against women are curtailed.

What are the tourists in Goa saying?

Goa is one of the favoured tourist destinations in the country. Most of the tourists reach here every year not only from India but also from abroad. In which a significant number of women are also there. There is also anger among tourists on the gang-rape of minor girls on the beach of Goa and then on the statement of the Chief Minister. They want to ensure the safety of every tourist visiting the state. Tourists arriving in Goa consider safety as the biggest issue. According to him, it is the responsibility of the state government and the police to maintain law and order. To curb crimes against women. If the law and order situation is good, then the tourists reaching Goa will be able to roam without fear.